Newly available in paperback: the captivating world of Elfhame that started with The Cruel Prince, captured in colour, with stunning illustrations by Rovina Cai.

Once upon a time there was a boy with a wicked tongue...

Before Cardan was a cruel prince or a wicked king, he was a faerie child with a heart of stone. In this sumptuously illustrated tale, Holly Black reveals a deeper look into the dramatic life of Elfhame's enigmatic high king. This tale includes delicious details of life before The Cruel Prince, an adventure beyond The Queen of Nothing, and familiar but pivotal moments from The Folk of the Air trilogy, told wholly from Cardan's perspective.

This new instalment in the Folk of the Air series is a return to the heart-racing romance, danger, humour and drama that enchanted readers everywhere.

About the Author

Holly Black is the no. 1 New York Times bestselling author of fantasy books including the Folk of the Air series, The Coldest Girl in Coldtown, the Spiderwick Chronicles, her adult debut, Book of Night, and an Arthurian picture book called Sir Morien. She was a finalist for an Eisner Award and a Lodestar Award and the recipient of a Mythopoeic Award, a Nebula Award and a Newbery Honor. Her books have been translated into thirty-two languages worldwide and adapted for film. She currently lives in New England with her husband and son in a house with a secret library.

Rovina Cai is a freelance illustrator who works across a variety of genres. Her poetic imagery has served as book covers, posters and interior art for novels and picture books. She recently won the World Fantasy Award for best artist. Her work has also been recognised by organisations like the Society of Illustrators, and the Children's Book Council of Australia. Rovina works out of a cosy studio in Melbourne, Australia, in an old building that was once a convent and is possibly haunted.